As a lifelong admirer of platform gaming beginning with the NES and SNES, the transition to the Sony PlayStation was invigorating, especially with the introduction of Spyro, a purple dragon who quickly captured hearts starting way back in 1998. This spirited character has been setting the gaming world ablaze ever since, indulging players with fire-breathing abilities, gem-collecting quests, and formidable adversaries.
Over the past two decades, Spyro The Dragon has delighted fans across multiple platforms, beginning with the PlayStation before expanding into realms dominated by Microsoft and Nintendo. This curated compilation highlights every major release from Insomniac Games’ original in 1998 to the celebrated remastered collection in 2018.
Get ready to soar and charge forward as we explore the pinnacle of Spyro’s journey—a revered icon in the platform gaming landscape. Please note that this ranking does not include mobile titles, such as Spyro: Ripto Quest.
13 Spyro: Enter The Dragonfly
A Disappointing Experience
If you picked up Spyro: Enter The Dragonfly for the PlayStation 2 or GameCube back in 2002, you likely walked away disappointed. This title marked the first non-handheld Spyro release in two years, but unfortunately, it fell short of both developer and fan expectations.
What transpired was a rushed project riddled with bugs and glitches—players encountered incomplete quests and frequent crashes. To compound these issues, a tragic lawsuit was brought against Universal and other associated companies by parents of a child who experienced seizures while playing, further underscoring the game’s problematic launch.
12 Spyro Orange: The Cortex Conspiracy
A Lackluster Collaboration
Vicarious Visions might deserve some credit for attempting to merge the worlds of Spyro Orange: The Cortex Conspiracy and Crash Bandicoot Purple: Ripto’s Rampage, but these titles ultimately fell flat. Set in a universe where familiar villains Cortex and Ripto join forces, the games promised an engaging storyline but delivered a lackluster experience.
With confusing mini-games and a brief playtime, the potential for memorable adventures was squandered. Released in 2004, a little more development time may have saved these titles from their disappointing fate.
11 Spyro: Attack Of The Rhynocs
A Side Quest-Centric Gameplay
Continuing the Game Boy Advance saga, Spyro: Attack of the Rhynocs is the third and weakest entry in its trilogy, joining Spyro: Season of Ice and Spyro: Season of Flame. Repetitive side quests primarily define this title, tasking players with collecting items, sometimes from areas they can’t access yet.
While it is at least a playable title, it pales compared to its counterparts and might leave players pondering if they could be better occupied with other mundane tasks.
10 Spyro: Shadow Legacy
RPG Aspirations Fall Flat
In a bold attempt to blend platforming with role-playing elements, Spyro: Shadow Legacy was created. The initial premise seemed exciting, yet the reality unfolded as tedious, bogged-down gameplay featuring lengthy health bars that tested the patience of even the most dedicated fans.
This entry represents an ambitious risk that ultimately lost sight of what made Spyro beloved in the first place.
9 Spyro: Season of Ice & Season of Flame
A Case of Resourcefulness
Although technically two different games released within a year of each other, Spyro 2: Season of Flame and its predecessor are almost indistinguishable. These handheld releases for the Game Boy Advance, which focus on diverse gameplay involving saving fairies and pixies, showcase how creativity can excel even with constrained budgets.
These titles proved that developers could forge quality gaming experiences through careful planning and innovative design, rather than through sheer financial investment.
8 The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning
A Revitalization of the Series
With aspirations to breathe new life into the franchise, developers at Krome Studios collaborated with several partners to create The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning. This title notably shifts emphasis from platforming to action, bringing a fresh perspective that enhances gameplay.
Featuring an impressive cast of voice actors including Elijah Wood and Gary Oldman, this installment ultimately succeeded in re-establishing Spyro as a formidable contender within the gaming universe.
7 The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night
An Expansive Sequel
Despite mixed reviews, The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night stands out as an impressive continuation of its trilogy, enriching gameplay with more exploration and challenging puzzles.
Spyro’s new elemental breath abilities add strategic depth, keeping players engaged as they navigate combat scenarios with varied enemy weaknesses.
6 The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon
A Triumphant Finale
Concluding the trilogy, The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon soared above its predecessors, showcasing significant enhancements facilitated by upgraded PlayStation 3 graphics. Released in 2008, players embraced the broader landscapes and the ability to fly freely, which enriched the overall experience.
This installment set a higher standard for future titles with its commitment to immersive gameplay.
5 Spyro: A Hero’s Tail
The Gem-Collecting Adventure
Spyro: A Hero’s Tail was groundbreaking as the first game in the series to launch across all three major consoles—GameCube, PlayStation 2, and Xbox—allowing more players to engage with Spyro’s adventures. This title introduced multi-character gameplay, offering participants the chance to play as various beloved characters from the franchise.
However, a significant drawback lies in the gem-collecting grind, which can become monotonous and deter some players from fully enjoying the experience.
4 Spyro: Year of the Dragon
A Classic Reinvented
A refreshing shake-up for the franchise, Spyro: Year of the Dragon effectively retained the core gameplay elements fans adored while infusing humor and unexpected twists throughout its progression. It catered to a broad range of difficulty levels, fostering appeal among beginners and veteran gamers alike.
This title stands out as a hallmark of the series, celebrated for its creativity and entertainment value, and often recognized as a prelude to darker days for the beloved franchise.
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